Ex-Gillingham boss Allen is early favourite with bookies

Even while Chris Wilder was releasing a statement saying he had not resigned, bookmakers were already taking bets on who would take over at Oxford United.

Martin Allen, who guided Gillingham to the League Two title last season, is the early favourite and was as short as 6-4 last night.

The 48-year-old is available after being sacked by the Gills in October and was among the large number of managers watching United’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Charlton Athletic at the Kassam Stadium last Tuesday.

Another out-of-work boss fancied is Sean O’Driscoll, who has enjoyed success with Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, but was sacked by Bristol City in November.

Mickey Lewis, United’s caretaker-boss, also features prominently, although it is unclear whether he would want the job on anything more than an interim basis.

Other League Two managers among the top of the list include Cheltenham Town’s Mark Yates and Justin Edinburgh, who is at Newport County.

Comments

Hope it's not Allen. He did not endear himself to the OUFC staff on Tuesday night's game. Sean O’Driscoll has a pretty good record apart from Bristol.

Hope it's not Allen. He did not endear himself to the OUFC staff on Tuesday night's game. Sean O’Driscoll has a pretty good record apart from Bristol.dave from witney

Hope it's not Allen. He did not endear himself to the OUFC staff on Tuesday night's game. Sean O’Driscoll has a pretty good record apart from Bristol.

Score: 6

Dolly76
10:09am Mon 27 Jan 14

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.Dolly76

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Score: 6

Richard Wickson
10:29am Mon 27 Jan 14

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Strange how we all see things differently, but that's human nature for you. I personally think exactly the opposite to you, on previous games between us and the two you mention I wouldn't want Tisdale even if he offered to do the rest of the season for free, arrogant jumped up little guy, although maybe, just maybe, he's the type of guy we need to change the home form, to create that self belief that our players have away but not at home, show the opposition less respect. We wait and see!

[quote][p][bold]Dolly76[/bold] wrote:
Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.[/p][/quote]Strange how we all see things differently, but that's human nature for you. I personally think exactly the opposite to you, on previous games between us and the two you mention I wouldn't want Tisdale even if he offered to do the rest of the season for free, arrogant jumped up little guy, although maybe, just maybe, he's the type of guy we need to change the home form, to create that self belief that our players have away but not at home, show the opposition less respect. We wait and see!Richard Wickson

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Strange how we all see things differently, but that's human nature for you. I personally think exactly the opposite to you, on previous games between us and the two you mention I wouldn't want Tisdale even if he offered to do the rest of the season for free, arrogant jumped up little guy, although maybe, just maybe, he's the type of guy we need to change the home form, to create that self belief that our players have away but not at home, show the opposition less respect. We wait and see!

Score: 3

adlibber
10:56am Mon 27 Jan 14

Martin Allen is 2nd Generation Dave Basset - his blokey personality is ok for a short time but is not the answer to continued success- he did a great job getting Gillingham promoted so I find it odd that he was sacked a few months into this season. His style of football isn't particularly attractive either. Not sure I'd want to see the same dire football at home that Wilder produced.

I can't believe Mickey Lewis is even a contender I think the entire first team coaching staff should go and a new team with fresh ideas and stronger motivational skills. Wouldn't like to name a specific man to come in but there are some young talented managers making their way in the Conference.

Martin Allen is 2nd Generation Dave Basset - his blokey personality is ok for a short time but is not the answer to continued success- he did a great job getting Gillingham promoted so I find it odd that he was sacked a few months into this season. His style of football isn't particularly attractive either. Not sure I'd want to see the same dire football at home that Wilder produced.
I can't believe Mickey Lewis is even a contender I think the entire first team coaching staff should go and a new team with fresh ideas and stronger motivational skills. Wouldn't like to name a specific man to come in but there are some young talented managers making their way in the Conference.adlibber

Martin Allen is 2nd Generation Dave Basset - his blokey personality is ok for a short time but is not the answer to continued success- he did a great job getting Gillingham promoted so I find it odd that he was sacked a few months into this season. His style of football isn't particularly attractive either. Not sure I'd want to see the same dire football at home that Wilder produced.

I can't believe Mickey Lewis is even a contender I think the entire first team coaching staff should go and a new team with fresh ideas and stronger motivational skills. Wouldn't like to name a specific man to come in but there are some young talented managers making their way in the Conference.

Score: 0

train passenger
11:00am Mon 27 Jan 14

The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).

The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).train passenger

The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).

Score: 5

H.J.Harris
12:00pm Mon 27 Jan 14

It will be a brave man indeed who takes on this job, a Rhino thick hide will be a necessity no matter how good he is.

It will be a brave man indeed who takes on this job, a Rhino thick hide will be a necessity no matter how good he is.H.J.Harris

It will be a brave man indeed who takes on this job, a Rhino thick hide will be a necessity no matter how good he is.

Score: 3

remberingthe80s
12:58pm Mon 27 Jan 14

dean saunders is the man,
or if possalbe glen hoddle

dean saunders is the man,
or if possalbe glen hoddleremberingthe80s

dean saunders is the man,
or if possalbe glen hoddle

Score: -9

Manor Born
1:10pm Mon 27 Jan 14

Definitely not Martin Allen. He is the last thing this club needs. O'Driscoll could be an interesting choice. Agree about Tisdale.

Can't see Edinburgh or Yates leaving their respective clubs to come here. Edinburgh seems very loyal to the project at Newport and has already turned down talks with the likes of Portsmouth and Northampton. He's either going to stay where he is or try his hand at managing a top end League 1 or a Championship side should that opportunity arise. Yates has done a cracking job at Cheltenham and is very settled there.

Not sure Mickey Lewis would want to be top dog for too long, maybe his old friend David Penney might like to try his hand as manager again - although he's currently doing fine work as Phil Brown's assistant at Southend and I'm not 100% sure that we want someone who has a previous connection with the club at the helm.

What is important is that the chairman conducts a thorough application and interview process and from there appoints the man who has the best credentials and ideas on how he will take this club forward. Interesting times are ahead that's for sure.

Definitely not Martin Allen. He is the last thing this club needs. O'Driscoll could be an interesting choice. Agree about Tisdale.
Can't see Edinburgh or Yates leaving their respective clubs to come here. Edinburgh seems very loyal to the project at Newport and has already turned down talks with the likes of Portsmouth and Northampton. He's either going to stay where he is or try his hand at managing a top end League 1 or a Championship side should that opportunity arise. Yates has done a cracking job at Cheltenham and is very settled there.
Not sure Mickey Lewis would want to be top dog for too long, maybe his old friend David Penney might like to try his hand as manager again - although he's currently doing fine work as Phil Brown's assistant at Southend and I'm not 100% sure that we want someone who has a previous connection with the club at the helm.
What is important is that the chairman conducts a thorough application and interview process and from there appoints the man who has the best credentials and ideas on how he will take this club forward. Interesting times are ahead that's for sure.Manor Born

Definitely not Martin Allen. He is the last thing this club needs. O'Driscoll could be an interesting choice. Agree about Tisdale.

Can't see Edinburgh or Yates leaving their respective clubs to come here. Edinburgh seems very loyal to the project at Newport and has already turned down talks with the likes of Portsmouth and Northampton. He's either going to stay where he is or try his hand at managing a top end League 1 or a Championship side should that opportunity arise. Yates has done a cracking job at Cheltenham and is very settled there.

Not sure Mickey Lewis would want to be top dog for too long, maybe his old friend David Penney might like to try his hand as manager again - although he's currently doing fine work as Phil Brown's assistant at Southend and I'm not 100% sure that we want someone who has a previous connection with the club at the helm.

What is important is that the chairman conducts a thorough application and interview process and from there appoints the man who has the best credentials and ideas on how he will take this club forward. Interesting times are ahead that's for sure.

Score: 4

Manor Born
1:14pm Mon 27 Jan 14

train passenger wrote…

The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).

What makes you say that? He has no experience of management apart from a spot of coaching at the university.

As you say Keown doesn't need the cash, he also doesn't want the aggro, he's got a successful career in the media and a few successful businesses. At no point has he ever stated his desire to go into football management, he seems quite content with where he is at the moment.

[quote][p][bold]train passenger[/bold] wrote:
The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).[/p][/quote]What makes you say that? He has no experience of management apart from a spot of coaching at the university.
As you say Keown doesn't need the cash, he also doesn't want the aggro, he's got a successful career in the media and a few successful businesses. At no point has he ever stated his desire to go into football management, he seems quite content with where he is at the moment.Manor Born

train passenger wrote…

The best man for the job would be Martin Keown, local boy who wouldn't need to do it for the money. Don't think he'll make himself available for L2 though (perhaps not for any league).

What makes you say that? He has no experience of management apart from a spot of coaching at the university.

As you say Keown doesn't need the cash, he also doesn't want the aggro, he's got a successful career in the media and a few successful businesses. At no point has he ever stated his desire to go into football management, he seems quite content with where he is at the moment.

Score: 5

Sid Snakey
1:48pm Mon 27 Jan 14

I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.

Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out!

I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.
Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out!Sid Snakey

I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.

Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out!

Manor Born, were you agreeing Paul Tisdale is a good choice or an arrogant little man? You didn't actually say. I agree that neither Edinburgh nor Yates would leave their respective clubs where they are both doing good jobs. I personally don't want to see Mickey Lewis take the job long term and don't think he would want to, I am a bit disturbed that IL thinks that both Lewis and Melville should stay, I think they have both been part of the problem regarding lack of forward coaching and lack of goals and feel we need new brooms but I can see his logic as he thinks the departing manager and his team were the men for the job. I am not disputing that CW got us out of the Poxy League (his words not mine) and he did get us stable in this Division but I don't think we would have got up with him in charge.
I totally agree with you that the Chairman needs to be thorough in the way he picks a future Manager, pretty much the way CW was chosen. He has done a reasonable job but I am definitely one that says he went as far as he could with us, maybe with any team, time will tell.

Manor Born, were you agreeing Paul Tisdale is a good choice or an arrogant little man? You didn't actually say. I agree that neither Edinburgh nor Yates would leave their respective clubs where they are both doing good jobs. I personally don't want to see Mickey Lewis take the job long term and don't think he would want to, I am a bit disturbed that IL thinks that both Lewis and Melville should stay, I think they have both been part of the problem regarding lack of forward coaching and lack of goals and feel we need new brooms but I can see his logic as he thinks the departing manager and his team were the men for the job. I am not disputing that CW got us out of the Poxy League (his words not mine) and he did get us stable in this Division but I don't think we would have got up with him in charge.
I totally agree with you that the Chairman needs to be thorough in the way he picks a future Manager, pretty much the way CW was chosen. He has done a reasonable job but I am definitely one that says he went as far as he could with us, maybe with any team, time will tell.Richard Wickson

Manor Born, were you agreeing Paul Tisdale is a good choice or an arrogant little man? You didn't actually say. I agree that neither Edinburgh nor Yates would leave their respective clubs where they are both doing good jobs. I personally don't want to see Mickey Lewis take the job long term and don't think he would want to, I am a bit disturbed that IL thinks that both Lewis and Melville should stay, I think they have both been part of the problem regarding lack of forward coaching and lack of goals and feel we need new brooms but I can see his logic as he thinks the departing manager and his team were the men for the job. I am not disputing that CW got us out of the Poxy League (his words not mine) and he did get us stable in this Division but I don't think we would have got up with him in charge.
I totally agree with you that the Chairman needs to be thorough in the way he picks a future Manager, pretty much the way CW was chosen. He has done a reasonable job but I am definitely one that says he went as far as he could with us, maybe with any team, time will tell.

Score: 3

Richard Wickson
4:12pm Mon 27 Jan 14

Sid Snakey wrote…

I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.

Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out!

Well Sid at least it gave me a giggle, he's got a bit of pedigree tho as he was the third longest serving manager till Saturday tea time. Don't think the majority of fans would want him though.

[quote][p][bold]Sid Snakey[/bold] wrote:
I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.
Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out![/p][/quote]Well Sid at least it gave me a giggle, he's got a bit of pedigree tho as he was the third longest serving manager till Saturday tea time. Don't think the majority of fans would want him though.Richard Wickson

Sid Snakey wrote…

I'd go for the Northampton Town manager myself. He got his last club promoted in his first full season, and then got them well established in the next division up. Did it on a budget as well.

Anyway, whoever we choose, I think they should be sacked. New manager Out!

Well Sid at least it gave me a giggle, he's got a bit of pedigree tho as he was the third longest serving manager till Saturday tea time. Don't think the majority of fans would want him though.

Score: -1

Happy09
5:14pm Mon 27 Jan 14

Ian Atkins at the ground lunch time.

Ian Atkins at the ground lunch time.Happy09

Ian Atkins at the ground lunch time.

Score: -3

Davos P
11:05pm Mon 27 Jan 14

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.

[quote][p][bold]Dolly76[/bold] wrote:
Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.[/p][/quote]Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.Davos P

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.

Score: -1

Dolly76
10:26am Tue 28 Jan 14

Davos P wrote…

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.

I would also like to rule out any current managers who have a connection to OUFC. Dean Saunders etc and any former players. I think it's a great opportunity to really freshen things up for our promotion push and bring someone in with a fresh approach and ideas without any additional pressure.
When we have gone down this route before, it's been a disaster, Malcolm Shotton springs to mind.

[quote][p][bold]Davos P[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Dolly76[/bold] wrote:
Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.[/p][/quote]Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.[/p][/quote]I would also like to rule out any current managers who have a connection to OUFC. Dean Saunders etc and any former players. I think it's a great opportunity to really freshen things up for our promotion push and bring someone in with a fresh approach and ideas without any additional pressure.
When we have gone down this route before, it's been a disaster, Malcolm Shotton springs to mind.Dolly76

Davos P wrote…

Dolly76 wrote…

Please not Martin Allen. Paul Tisdale would be my choice.

Totally agree. Tisdale has learnt a lot at Exeter and has the most potential to keep improving. It hasn't served us well at this level bringing in older experienced guys who are stuck in their ways. We want someone with lots of energy who can get some momentum going quickly.

I would also like to rule out any current managers who have a connection to OUFC. Dean Saunders etc and any former players. I think it's a great opportunity to really freshen things up for our promotion push and bring someone in with a fresh approach and ideas without any additional pressure.
When we have gone down this route before, it's been a disaster, Malcolm Shotton springs to mind.

Score: 0

yabbadabbadoo256
11:43am Tue 28 Jan 14

Rumours have it John Sheridan is in the mix.. Doing a reasonable job in plymouth on a tight budget.

Rumours have it John Sheridan is in the mix.. Doing a reasonable job in plymouth on a tight budget.yabbadabbadoo256

Rumours have it John Sheridan is in the mix.. Doing a reasonable job in plymouth on a tight budget.

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